Forgiveness: Learning to Let Go

In Matthew 18 we read of Jesus instructing His disciples about how to deal with issues in their relationships with others that arise when someone sins against them. In response, Peter asks how often they should forgive such as person. The response from Jesus is a powerful story which completely transforms the way we see people and the sins they commit against us, and it's all in response to the way that God has chosen to treat us.

Made in His Image

Made in His Image

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Guest speaker Daniel Viljoen from the Bethanie Group shares with us some of the fundamental principles that undergird their ministry to the elderly. We are all made in the image of God, and when we serve others not only do we have the privilege of being Christ's ambassadors but we also discover something of God in others which can greatly enrich our own lives.

Walking the Walk

One Step Closer pt 3:

Walking the Walk

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In Luke 9:23-26 Jesus speaks some stern words of warning about judgement to come. They are not easy words to hear nor are they easy to repeat, but they are words of eternal life for those who will listen.

In these verses Jesus warns people who reject His lordship and try to live on their own terms that the end result will be judgement resulting in eternal separation from God - what the book of Revelation calls "the second death". 

As Jesus explained in Matthew 7, there are people who claim to be 'religious' and even do great things in His name but yet do not personally know Him and have not received eternal life from Him. They rely on their own works instead of trusting in what Jesus has done for us. They seek to control their own lives and pursue their own sinful desires instead of living a new life with Christ as Lord. Genuine followers of Jesus are people who have been converted - they have believed the truth about Jesus, received new life from Him and now live differently as a result. 

The second warning is to those who have received eternal life through faith in Him, yet have held back from living out that life and speaking about Jesus among those who do not yet believe. They are ones who are ashamed of Jesus and His words, even though by them they have received eternal life.

To these people Jesus says that while they will inherit eternal life they will do as ones of whom He is ashamed, ones who have selfishly kept their wonderful salvation to themselves instead of sharing it with others.

As we explore these passages we are again reminded that it is one thing to talk a good talk, but if we want to be sure of our salvation and if we want to be confident of how we will be received by Jesus when we stand before Him, the essential thing is to know that in this life we have also 'walked the walk'.